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Author: katt

Korean Entertainment News 2011

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 Author| Post time 26-4-2009 08:29 PM | Show all posts
April 26, 2009

Skirts exhibition launches Prada Transformer
  
Skirts are an everyday item for most women, but maybe they are not getting as much attention as they deserve.
Miuccia Prada, the head designer for the Italian high-end fashion brand, does skirts right in an exhibition that opened Saturday.

"Waist Down -- Skirts by Miuccia Prada" marks the much-anticipated opening of the Prada Transformer -- a metamorphic cultural structure established at the grounds of Gyeonghui Palace in Seoul.

The one-of-a-kind Prada Transformer, which can change shape to accommodate different kinds of cultural events, is designed by world-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas and is the Italian brand's key communication project for this year.

"The fact that we have selected Seoul to implement it is a recognition of the importance that we give to Asia, Korea particularly, because of its fast-growing pace both in the business and cultural space," said Patrizio Bertelli, chairman and CEO of Prada in Seoul on Thursday.




In the exhibition, Prada, who is often seen at her runway shows, looks at skirts from a fresh point-of-view.

The exhibition is a testament to the skirt's versatility, the different forms it can take and mood it can create. "Most women tend to focus more on the upper part of the body (when dressing themselves) and skirts are secondary priority," said Kayoko Ota, the curator for the exhibition, at last week's press meeting.

The designer's "understanding on how much movement the skirt has" motivated her to launch this exhibition in 2004, she added. Twirling and spinning, full skirts hanging down from the ceiling and spread out on a hexagonal platform catch visitors' attention the moment they walk into the exhibition.

On the opposite side of the wall, manikins wearing skirts are walking, making crisp sounds as the garment and metal ornaments chafe. Full skirts circularly spread out and coated in vinyl-like plastic and hung on one side look like petals from a distance. Big-sized manikins also vertically stick out from the walls featuring the designer's diverse past catwalk looks.

The exhibition will also present a collection of skirts created by local university students. The project was partially intended to integrate with the local culture and fashion, Ota said. We were impressed by the efforts that Korea has been putting into fashion education and stunned by how good the students' works were," Ota said.

The exhibition is taking place for the fifth time in the world following Tokyo, Shanghai, New York and Los Angeles. But it is the first time that it is being held outside a Prada store. "Waist Down" has been showing some of the most notable works of Prada from 1988 to the current season, varying the collection according to different venues.

The exhibition runs through May 24. Entry is free but tickets should be booked at www.prada-transformer.com prior to visiting the exhibition. For further information, call (02) 737-4772.

Following the exhibition, Prada Transformer will be reconfigured to host a series of screenings of films by "Babel" director Alejandro Gonzalez starting June 26.

By Koh Young-aah (youngaah@heraldm.com) via koreaherald.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 26-4-2009 08:36 PM | Show all posts
April 26, 2009

Park's 'Thirst' Is Riveting  

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


Park Chan-wook抯 揟hirst
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 Author| Post time 27-4-2009 01:46 PM | Show all posts
April 27, 2009

'Thirst' Stirs Audiences with Star's Private Parts

Park Chan-wook new film "Thirst" is creating a buzz not only for its excellence but also for a brief glimpse it offers of Song Kang-ho's genitals. Song stars as a Catholic priest-turned-vampire.

Asked whether the genital exposure was intentional, Park told reporters after the preview on Friday afternoon, "Watching the film in the audience, I think that scene was naturally incorporated into the movie. Because the composition of the frame was very natural, it wasn't intended just to attract attention. You'll know the difference when you watch the film yourself."

"When Park first proposed the idea about this film to me 10 years ago, he didn抰 say anything about exposure," Song said. "Later, when the screenplay was complete, Park and I thought very hard about this issue, but we thought it was absolutely necessary and that's why we did it. It epitomizes the message of the film, showing the most embarrassing moment for a Catholic priest, who had chosen faith, salvation and the spiritual life."

"Thirst" is a melodrama about a priest who turns into a vampire after a blood transfusion and falls fatally in love with the wife of his friend. The film is released on Thursday.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com
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 Author| Post time 27-4-2009 04:28 PM | Show all posts
Weekly Box Office 2009.04.24 ~ 2009.04.26 3-day Gross/Total Gross (won)


My Girlfriend is An Agent / Secret Couple / nate.com

1. My Girlfriend is An Agent / Secret Couple (South Korea) 3,160,591,000 / 4,197,955,000

2. Knowing (U.S.) 1,245,484,000 / 5,150,302,000

3. Monsters Vs. Aliens (U.S.) 1,201,721,500 / 1,275,251,000

4. Private Eye / Shadow Kill (South Korea) 854,619,500 / 11,623,381,500

5. Banlieue 13 - Ultimatum (France) 787,608,000 / 2,745,139,175

6. Fast & Furious (U.S.) 2 189,494,000 / 4,427,353,675

7. Breathless (South Korea) 182,373,000 / 477,177,500

8. Slumdog Millionaire (U.S.) 152,558,500 / 7,260,611,000

9. The Legend Of Ip Man (Hong Kong) 126,206,000 / 636,080,500

10. The Admiral (Russia) 121,450,500 / 167,591,500

Source: KOFIC
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 Author| Post time 27-4-2009 07:48 PM | Show all posts
April 27, 2009

Director Bong Promises Hotter Movie With 'Mother'  

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


From left, actors Won Bin and Kim Hae-ja and director Bong Joon-ho
appear Monday at a promotional event in Seoul for their movie "Mother,"
which will premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival next month
before its local release May 28. / Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho promises something "hotter" for his upcoming film "Mother," which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month before its local theater release May 28.

"If movies could be measured by temperature, then I imagine that `Mother
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 Author| Post time 27-4-2009 09:46 PM | Show all posts
April 27, 2009

Popular TV Programs Found to Be 'Overly Offensive'

Comedy programs on the three major TV channels are full of slang, swearwords, personal attacks, and remarks belittling the physical appearance of guests, according to the Korea Communications Standards Commission on Sunday.

The Commission conducted research on the verbal expressions used in comedy TV programs from March 23 for two weeks on three criteria -- offensive langauge, lasciviousness and violence.

The comedy programs on SBS were most problematic, with 95 cases of vulgar and offensive language, followed by MBC and KBS, with 51 and 31 cases, respectively. On the issue of lasciviousness, MBC came top with 12 cases, and SBS and KBS followed, with eight and three cases each. On the matter of violent expression, the three were head-to-head with 12 to 13 cases.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 11:51 AM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Watchdog to Tackle Human Rights of Female Entertainers

South Korea's human rights watchdog plans to launch an investigation into the human rights conditions of female entertainers following the recent suicide of an actress believed to have been sexually exploited, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday.

In an announcement of its investigation plan for 2009, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea said it will launch the probe into the working conditions of female entertainers as early as June.

The announcement comes amid an ongoing police investigation into the death of Jang Ja-yeon, the 30-year-old television actress, last month. Jang allegedly killed herself after her agent forced her to provide sexual and other favors to several high-powered entertainment figures and journalists.

The commission, in a statement, estimated that many other actresses were exposed to threats of sexual exploitation within the entertainment industry. It also suspected that most of them were uninsured and underpaid.

"There hasn't been a systematic case study of rights conditions for female entertainers so far," the commission said.

The study, expected to be wrapped up by the end of the year, is intended to serve as a supplement in creating policies to improve rights protection for the broader entertainment industry, it said.

The commission also plans to conduct studies in other human rights-related areas, including gathering of private information and the rights of the homeless and the aged population.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

Similar update at Yonhap News
Watchdog to investigate rights conditions of female entertainers [
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 12:04 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Hwang Jung-min Gears Up for Late TV Soap Debut


Hwang Jung-min (left) and Kim Ah-jung

Hwang Jung-min is to make his TV soap opera debut as a humble post office clerk in the new drama "The Accidental Couple," which will air on Wednesdays and Thursdays on KBS 2TV.

It is his first TV soap opera appearance in a career spanning over 14 years. Hwang says he feels a special attachment to "The Accidental Couple" because he is so attracted to the character. He has moved audiences with his impassioned performances on the big screen, and news that he is making his TV drama debut is exciting for his fans.

Meanwhile, Kim Ah-jung is also returning to TV drama with "The Accidental Couple" after three years of absence. The show is a romantic comedy focusing on the relationship between a post office clerk and an actress after they agree to a six-month contract marriage. The first episode airs on Wednesday.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 01:19 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Movie Review
Introspective satire draws laughter in 'Like You Know It All'


By Shin Hae-in

SEOUL, April 28 (Yonhap) -- Dozens clapped at the end of the preview night, their face broad with smiles and their heart as light as a feather: not the most ordinary scene for director Hong Sang-soo.

Hong may have always been funny, but not all managed to catch his sharp humor. Despite applause at international film fests, the 48-year-old director has never been successful box office-wise, with some discomforted by his male-centered perspectives on romance, sex and life in general.



Since 2006, though, with the Berlin Film Fest-commended "Woman on the Beach," Hong appears to have grown an attitude that speaks to a much wider range of fans. His humor is softer, funnier and easier to comprehend. Hong's trademark self-mockery is clearer in his ninth feature "Like You Know It All (Jal aljido mothamyeonseo)," with the protagonist being a lowly film director.

Opening the two intertwining stories is Gyeong-nam (Kim Tae-woo), a self-claimed art films director who is much duller and more ignorant than he'd like to think he is. Traveling to Jecheon in the central Chungcheong province to participate as a jury member of a regional international film festival, Gyeong-nam meets several people including sharp-tongued festival programmer Hyeon-hee (Uhm Ji-won), who later accuses him of being a hypocrite who "literally ruins her life."

Running from the regional town after several embarrassing and uneasy incidents -- involving women, alcohol, chain-smoking, but never work -- Gyeong-nam lands in Jeju Island where he encounters his first "real love" Go-sun (Ko Hyeon-jeong), who appears amused by him, but has no intention of giving Gyeong-nam what he wants.



The truth is, though, there is nothing really "new" about Hong's new movie.

Again, he sneers at self-claimed intellectuals who, in reality, are only interested in getting laid and outshining each other with their shallow knowledge. But the film is nonetheless a delight as Hong makes a noticeable effort in conveying the same message in a vehicle that evidently cuts back on the fidgety boldness shown in his previous works including "Virgin Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors" and "Woman is the Future of Man."

While far from appealing, none of his characters are detestable as they all portray a hypocritical part of us: sleeping through most of the films he must judge, Hong's alter ego Gyeong-nam tells others he came as a jury to support the "superb films that ordinary people miss out on." Men -- old or young -- childishly try to score more points with women through arm wrestling, and women say "they might or might not" have been raped in alcoholic vulnerability.



"There is naturally a bit of me in all the characters, but I do my best to keep a distance from them," Hong said after the movie's preview Monday night. "Unless I maintain this distance, I could easily be confined in my own movies -- the worst thing to happen to a filmmaker."

Proving himself to be among the most adored film creators among actors and actresses, Hong again managed to cast several big names in his newest release, all of whom agreed to work without any fees upfront. "He never told me anything beforehand," said actor Kim Tae-woo, playing the main character Gyeong-nam. "I was given the script on a daily basis. Actually, it looked more like scribbles on a torn piece of paper than a script."

Although they may be laughing through most of the film's 126-minute-running time, audiences are given something to ponder after the humorous images fade with the memorable line: "Don't act like you know it all. Just live by things you really know."

"Like You Know It All," which has been invited to a non-competition juror section of the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival, will hit the local cinemas beginning May 14.

Credits: hayney@yna.co.kr via yonhapnews.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 02:12 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Movie Star Booked on Drug Charges


Joo Ji-hoon

The popular model and actor Joo Ji-hoon is among 15 people booked on drugs charges, police said Monday.

Police also arrested an actress identified as Yoon on suspicion of supplying ecstasy to acquaintances and selling them in clubs, and are questioning her about allegations that she sold drugs to entertainers other than those already indicted.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police spokesman said five of the 15 were acquaintances of Yoon's, while the rest allegedly obtained the drugs elsewhere. Police said more people could be indicted as the investigation expands. "Although it is relatively easy to get the drugs Yoon brought into Korea in clubs in Japan, it is shocking that an actress smuggled and distributed them herself," a police officer said.

Meanwhile, the Korea Food and Drug Administration is discussing a ban on intravenous tranquilizer propofol and animal sedative xylazine, which are apparently enjoying growing popularity as recreational drugs among show business people. One insider says there are several entertainers who regularly inject propofol, and some are "seriously addicted." "They start using propofol to alleviate anxiety but for some it becomes a regular habit," the source said.

Source: chosun.com
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 02:34 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Young actress found dead in apparent suicide



SEOUL, April 28 (Yonhap) -- A young South Korean actress has been found dead at her home in southern Seoul in what appears to be a suicide, police said Tuesday.

The body of Woo Seung-yeon, who played a supporting role in several films and worked as a model, was discovered by her live-in friend, police said, noting she appeared to have hanged herself. The 26-year-old actress left an alleged suicide note, saying "I love my family. I'm so sorry to leave early."

Woo's family members and friends told police investigators that she has been under severe stress after recently failing to pass auditions for new roles.

Celebrity suicides are on the rise in South Korea, which witnessed suicides of top movie actress Choi Jin-sil, young TV actress Jang Ja-yeon and actor Ahn Jae-hwan over the past year.

Credits: brk@yna.co.kr via yonhapnews.co.kr, image from donga.com thanks to dramabeans.com
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Post time 28-4-2009 03:14 PM | Show all posts
Korean actor Joo Ji Hoon caught with drugs
27 April 2009


Korean actor Joo Ji Hoon caught with drugs on the 26th, Korean police officials issued a warrant of arrest for actress Yoon Sul Hui (28) and model Yeh Hak Young (26) for smuggling drugs into Korea from Japan.



(From L to R) Joo Ji-hoon, Yoon Seol-hee, Yeh Hak-young [File photo]


Among the people charged to have received drugs from the two mentioned above, is actor Joo Ji Hoon, best known for his roles in the drama Goong and movie The Naked Kitchen. Joo Ji Hoon was hauled to the police station for questioning. The last update was that Joo Ji Hoon has admitted to the charges against him.

According to the police, Ms. Yoon and others were paid about 100,000,000 won since August 2007 for the smuggling of drugs such as ecstasy and ketamine. It was discovered during the investigation that Ms. Yoon would hide the drugs in her underclothes after obtaining them in Japan. The drugs would then travel through different people and Mr. Yeh, who happened to be the 3rd point of transfer. His drugs were then sold throughout clubs in Kang Nam and to his acquaintances.

Joo Ji Hoon began to associate himself with the two around March 2008 and has been charged by the police, for being involved in the 2nd point of transfer of the drugs. A police representative stated, "This is the first time that celebrities are directly involved in the buying and selling of drugs. We are expanding the scope of our investigations and expect to discover more people selling the drugs beneath the sponsor."


(Agencies via CRI April 27, 2009)
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 04:11 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Young Actress Woo Found Dead


Woo Seung-yeon

A young South Korean actress has been found dead at her home in southern Seoul in what appears to be a suicide, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday, quoting a police source.

The body of Woo Seung-yeon, who played a supporting role in several films and worked as a model, was discovered by her live-in friend, police said, noting she appeared to have hanged herself. The 26-year-old actress left an alleged suicide note, saying "I love my family. I'm so sorry to leave early."

Woo's family members and friends told police investigators that she has been under severe stress after recently failing to pass auditions for new roles.

Celebrity suicides are on the rise in South Korea, which witnessed suicides of top movie actress Choi Jin-sil, young TV actress Jang Ja-yeon and actor Ahn Jae-hwan over the past year.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 06:54 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Two more Korean films invited to Cannes

   SEOUL, April 28 (Yonhap) -- Two short films by emerging South Korean directors have been invited to a youth competition section of the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival, the Korean Film Council said Tuesday.

   Cho Seung-hee's "Don't Step Out of the House" and Im Gyeong-dong's "Honking" will compete for an honor at the Cinefondation section. Both movies have been sponsored by the Korean Academy of Film Arts, which produced "A Reunion" and "Stop," the winners of the section in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

   Established in 1998, the Cinefoundation selects about 20 short and medium-length works each year from schools across the world with the goal of supporting the next generation of filmmakers.

   Several South Korean films are in the competition, including Park Chan-wook's "Thirst" which will vie for the highest prize Palme d'Or. Park won the top award in 2004 with "Oldboy."

   This year's Cannes film festival will run from May 13 through 24.

   Credits: hayney@yna.co.kr via yonhapnews.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 10:11 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Actress Hangs Herself

By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter


The late Woo Seung-yeon

Actress, Woo Seung-yeon, 25, was found dead in her home in Seoul in what appears to be a suicide, police said Monday.

Woo apparently hanged herself in her room and was found dead by her roommate who notified police, according to the Seoul Songpa Police Station.

She left a note stating she loved her family and she was sorry to leave them. She also sent a text message stating "I'm sorry" to her sister, who tried to reach her by phone, a police officer said.

Woo debuted as a model for fashion magazines and appeared in minor roles in the movies "Herb" (2007) and "Private Eye" (2009). She was taking leave from the Department of French Language and Literature at Chung-Ang University.

She was signed by the Oracle Entertainment agency two months ago and expected to broaden her acting career.

Her agency said she was undergoing treatment for depression and spoke to her sister and friends about her failures at auditions. Police believe the depression might have driven her to the suicide.

Woo's death is the latest in a series of celebrity suicides. Top actress Choi Jin-sil, actor, Ahn Jae-hwan and TV actress Jang Ja-yeon all took their own lives.

Credits: meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 10:14 PM | Show all posts
News Index page 4

April 28, 2009: Director Bong back with mother-son tale
APril 28: Kim and Hwang Team up as 'Accidental Couple'
April 28: Drug Scandal Jolts Showbiz Industry
April 28: More romantic comedy for prime time
April 27: Actor Joo Ji-hoon Charged with Drug Use
April 28: Actress Woo Seung-yeon Found Dead
April 29: Korean Stars Come under One Roof in the U.S. / Lee Byung Hun/ Rain / Kim Yun Jin
April 29: Singer Park Ji-yoon Returns With New Album
April 29: Starlet Found Dead in Apparent Suicide  
April 29: Korean Animation to Screen at Cannes Film Festival
April 30: Seo Tae-ji to Have 1st Tour in 5 Years
April 30: Major S. Korean film festival opens for nine-day run
April 30: Jeonju film fest opens with digital omnibus
April 30: 'Cyborg She,' One Man's Perverse Fantasy
April 30: 'Life' ups Korean Cannes entries to four
May 1: New Historical Dramas Struggling to Find Viewers
May 1: 10th Jeonju Film Fest Off to a Promising Start
May 1: Film critic says Korean, French movies akin
May 1: Hong Ji-young Looks on the Brighter Side of Adultery
May 2: Choi Song-hyeon Drops Clean-Cut TV Image in Debut Movie
May 2: Different, but complementary: three Asian directors featured in eccentric project of Jeonju film fest
May 3: 'Thirst' Tops Box Office in Korea With 600,000 Moviegoers
May 3: Single mothers and baseball coming to small screen
May 4: Real fun begins at midnight for devotees at Jeonju film fete

[ Last edited by  katt at 4-5-2009 11:22 ]
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 10:18 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Director Bong back with mother-son tale



Leading Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho expressed confidence in the artistic quality of his latest film "Mother," set to join the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes film festival next month.

"When I looked at the lineup in the competition section at the Cannes film festival this year, I felt there's a clear limit for me to join the power list, but I'm confident about my new film's artistic level," Bong told reporters at a news conference in Seoul on Monday.

Bong's failure to join the prestigious competition section at Cannes, however, does not mean he's an outsider. After all, with "Mother" Bong has now been invited to Cannes for a third time, a recognition coveted by filmmakers around the world.



Kim Hye-ja, the veteran actress who plays the title role, said she's relieved about the entry into the non-competition section of Cannes. "I don't like competition in the first place and I think it's good that we are not competing with other films," she said.

Kim said that Bong provided her acting career with new impetus. "He helped me reactivate all the cells that have been dormant in my body," Kim said. "I ran a lot for the film, even when it was raining, but I didn't feel any fatigue because that's what I was supposed to do for the role."

Kim is widely regarded for acting skills closely related with the traditional image of a Korean mother. Since she has enhanced this image by appearing as a parent in many television dramas, Bong said he would have given up the project if Kim did not accept his offer to play the main role.



Bong said Won Bin, who plays Kim Hye-ja's son in the film, performed even better than expected. "When I met Won Bin for the first time, I noticed he has innocent eyes -- eyes that are perfect for the son character. Although he looks innocent, he was very eager to push the limit and top expectations at the shooting," Bong said.

Won Bin returns to Korean cinema in five years after his high-profile role in "Taegukgi," the 2004 Korean War blockbuster.

In the film, a mother lives alone with her only son, who is 28. Their life turns upside down when the young man is implicated in a murder case. Despite there being no credible evidence against him, he is implicated by the police, forcing his mother to do whatever she can to prove his innocence.

By Yang Sung-jin (insight@heraldm.com) via koreaherald.co.kr, captures credit as stated on images from daum.net
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 10:21 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Kim and Hwang Team up as 'Accidental Couple'

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


Actor Hwang Jung-min, left, and actress Kim A-joong pose at a press conference
for 揟he Accidental Couple
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 10:23 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

Drug Scandal Jolts Showbiz Industry
Several More Top Entertainers on List of Suspects


By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter



Police are expanding their investigation into the smuggling and use of drugs involving movie stars and models.

In the latest drug bust of entertainers, police booked popular film star Ju Ji-hun, 27, on suspicion of drug use and arrest warrants were sought for actress Yun Seol-hee, 28, and model Ye Hak-young, 26, for alleged smuggling ecstasy tablets and ketamine into the country from Japan. Two other residents were booked on similar suspicions.

"Besides the suspects on the list we have secured, there are likely more, given the amount of drugs smuggled. Further investigations are unavoidable," an officer of the Seoul Metropolitan Policy Agency said.

Police officiers said the entertainers appear to have been tempted to use drugs on assumption that that ecstasy and other drugs kill the appetite, helping them reduce their weight. Ecstasy is a mildly hallucinogenic amphetamine and the most popular illegal drug in Korea, while ketamine, also illegal here, is a veterinary medicine that has a strong hallucinatory effect on humans in dilute doses.

Experts said that more popular stars are blacklisted as suspects who used the drugs smuggled in by Yun.

The latest scandal is jolting the entertainment industry, already reeling following the suicide of actress Jang Ja-yeon, who left a note accusing media and entertainment firms' presidents of forcing her to have sex with them.

Ju is a hallyu (Korean wave) star in Japan and is now expected to lose opportunities to appear in Japanese media, let alone appearances on domestic TV programs or movies. He was scheduled to have a fan meeting in Tokyo next month.

Ju is a model-turned-actor who debuted in the 2006 drama 'Princess Hours," with the role of a crown prince of Korea. He recently starred in the movies "Antique" and "The Naked Kitchen" and the musical "Don Juan." He was going to shoot the drama "Tokyo Tower" next month, but the role is going to be given to another actor.

Ju admitted to using drugs, saying he took them when he was drunk at a party at Ye's house, according to police. Since both Ju and Ye are models-turned-actors, the entertainment industry expects other colleagues to be implicated in the scandal. Many fans are disappointed. "I was surprised at the news of Ju's drug use. Drug scandals involving entertainers seem to never end," said Kim Dong-hyun, 28, a graduate student.

Many other entertainers have also been caught for drug use. Actress Hwang Su-jung was caught using philopon ― an amphetamine ― in November 2001. She was known for her elegant image, but an attempted comeback was unsuccessful even years after the scandal. Singer Psy, or Park Jae-sang, was caught in the same month for smoking marijuana. Actresses Sung Hyun-ah was caught for taking ecstasy in 2002; Kim Boo-seon for marijuana in 2004; and Ko Ho-kyeong for marijuana in 2006.

The drug busts of entertainers continued last year as well, including jazz vocalist Pak Sun-zoo and Steve Kim of hip hop group Uptown. Some entertainers have campaigned for legalizing the use of drugs such as marijuana. Kim Boo-seon and singer Shin Hae-chul, both caught for drug use, have insisted that marijuana should be legalized in Korea.

However, the difference this time is that Yun and Ye smuggled the narcotics themselves ― police believe they did this to limit the possibility of exposure. Some experts cited relatively light punishment on drug users as one of the key reasons behind the scandals. Some have successfully returned to the business years afterward.

Bae Kuk-nam, a culture critic, said, "They can make a return after drug scandals but their wrongdoing is engraved in people's memories."

Credits: meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 28-4-2009 10:57 PM | Show all posts
April 28, 2009

More romantic comedy for prime time



Starting tonight, viewers will be hard-pressed to settle on a program. Joining MBC's effervescent "Cinderella Man," SBS' "City Hall" and KBS' "While I Was Looking" are bringing their own blend of romance and comedy to Wednesday and Thursday nights.

The bubbly trio of dramas puts reality on hold, spinning improbable tales of twins swapping lives, of a romance between a post office worker and a top star, and of an inexperienced rookie politician who inadvertently becomes town mayor.

So which channel will audiences settle on?

Though it is still early in the game, SBS' "City Hall" is a strong contender. Helmed by the blockbuster-making duo, producer Shin Woo-chul and TV scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook, this tale of an elite deputy mayor with aspirations for presidential candidacy and of an unwitting female government employee who becomes town mayor may sound a bit dull on paper, but the previews that have been airing on SBS are downright funny.

"My Lovely Samsoon" star Kim Sun-ah and co-star Cha Seung-won roll out the punches, with Kim playing a clumsy Lucille Ball-type to Cha's cynical and sour politician. Both Kim, who proved her comedic prowess in the hit MBC drama "My Lovely Samsoon" (2005) and in the flick "She's On Duty" (2005), and Cha, who drew laughs in movies "Ghost House" (2004) and "Kick the Moon" (2001), possess impeccable comedic timing and a knack for playing lovable buffoons.

"Mi-rae is the cutest and most lovable character that I have seen as of yet," said Kim of her role as a clueless public servant. "My character could come across as cute or give off an entirely different vibe, depending on how I play her. So, in order to fully absorb the character, I tried hard to look cute on a regular basis."

Co-star Cha plays an ambitious town deputy mayor who meets his match in Mi-rae. "Through this opportunity, Jo Gook goes through a series of somewhat outrageous and diverse situations that make him gradually change his political values," said Cha of his character.

"At first, because I was playing a politician, I was worried about not being familiar with political terms, but while there are politics, the focus is on the situations and happenings between people," Cha added.

Based on what Cha said, viewers are unlikely to get bogged down by political jargon or bureaucratic details. Add to that producer Shin Woo-chul and scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook's winning streak -- from their most recent "On Air" (2008) to "Lovers in Paris" (2004) -- and chances are that "City Hall" has what it takes to hit a homerun.

KBS, however, promises to give "City Hall" a run for its money with their latest Wednesday and Thursday night series, "While I Was Looking."

Veteran actor Hwang Jung-min plays an average guy who has never had a proper date in his 30-something year old life. That is, until top star Han Ji-soo comes crashing into his world. Hwang's Goo Dong-baek, a post office worker, helps actress Han out of a tough situation only to find himself agreeing to pretend to be her significant other for six months.

At a press conference last week, Hwang, who played a kind and simple farmer in the flick "You're My Sunshine" (2005), admitted to certain similarities between Kim Seok-joong of "You're My Sunshine" and Goo Dong-baek. Hwang explained his decision to play the simple-hearted Goo: "I thought, 'Won't a different character emerge?'" "200 Pound Beauty" star Kim Ah-joong will star opposite Hwang as actress Han.

When asked why she chose "While I Was Looking," she answered: "Well, because, first of all, the script was really fun."

Both actress Kim and co-star Hwang have a gift for comedy. In the preview screening, a Chaplin-esque Hwang drew laughs as his star struck character fumbled and stuttered around Kim's Han Ji-soo.

"City Hall" starts airing on SBS and "While I Was Looking" on KBS 2 TV at 10 p.m. tonight.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com) via koreaherald.co.kr
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